21 Insanely Smart Tips For Living In NYC On A Budget

    The Big Apple on a little budget: More possible than you thought.

    Jon-Michael Poff
    by Jon-Michael Poff

    BuzzFeed Staff

    Recently, we asked the BuzzFeed Community to tell us their best tips for living in NYC on a budget. Here's their brilliant advice.

    Thinkstock / Jon-Michael Poff for BuzzFeed

    1. Never pay for a haircut or blowout again by volunteering as a model at a boutique salon. 💇

    Netflix

    Say goodbye to overpriced haircuts. Check out SalonApprentice.com for listings for men and women.

    —Chardy

    2. Don't even THINK about living alone. 👨👩👱

    Fox

    Even in places like Bed-Stuy, a one-bedroom rental runs about $2,000/month. And while living with other adults can be hard, cutting your ridiculous rent in half or thirds will more than make up for the inconvenience.

    —Suzie Florence, Facebook

    3. Trade a slightly longer commute for serious savings on rent. 🕗

    Getty Images

    "Bay Ridge, Sunset Park, and Ditmas Park are all great substitutions for pricier parts of Brooklyn, and Sunnyside in Queens is super cute!"

    —Melina

    4. And, instead of living in NYC, consider less expensive alternatives like Hoboken and Jersey City. 🚈

    5. Apply for affordable housing in LUXURY buildings via the city's Housing Connect program. 🏢

    6. Find a good happy hour spot, and stick with it. 🍻

    Bravo

    A dollar off? Skip it. Buy one, get one? Hell yeah.

    —Jacqueline Miranda Scalia, Facebook

    7. Cheaper still, skip the bar and grab a $3 bottle of wine from Trader Joe's. 🍷

    NBC

    $3 for a bottle > $8 for a glass.

    —Haley

    8. When dining out, pass on the drink menu and go with water instead. 🍸

    Universal Pictures

    Even at moderately priced restaurants in the city, cocktails can set you back $14 or so. Water, on the other hand, is usually free.

    —Susan

    9. Whatever you do, skip on takeout and delivery. 🍱

    HBO

    Ordering takeout is very tempting, but it's a major budget buster. Spending $15 each night for dinner adds up incredibly quickly.

    —Erik Nilsen, Facebook

    10. Instead, opt for some delicious street food, which there's plenty of across the city, or grab some dollar slice pizza. 🍕

    The CW

    Halal and taco trucks are your best bet for lots of food at a fair price.

    —Annie and Chardy

    11. Don't be afraid of buying produce from fruit and vegetable stands along the street. 🍊

    The CW

    This isn't always the case, but often, their prices are lower than nearby grocery stores.

    —April

    12. And check out Stiles Farmers Market in Hell's Kitchen for seriously cheap produce. 🍅

    13. Make brunch an occasional treat, not a weekly ritual. 🍹

    Fox

    Bottomless mimosas sound great. A $40 bill? Not so much.

    —Leah Zamechek Slais, Facebook

    14. Keep an eye on daily deal websites like Groupon for discounts on everything from restaurants to clothing to spa packages. 💲

    NBC

    Affordable food, fun, and fashion.

    —Jacqueline Miranda Scalia, Facebook

    15. Consider buying a weekly or monthly unlimited ride pass instead of paying per ride. 🚇

    MTA / Via web.mta.info

    Depending on how often you take the subway or a bus, you can lower your cost-per-ride significantly by using one of these options.

    —Megan

    16. See a Broadway show on the cheap with rush, lottery, and standing-room-only tickets. 🎼

    Fox

    Playbill has the scoop on how to see The Book of Mormon for $32, Wicked for $30, and The Phantom of the Opera for just $26.25.

    —Lexi

    17. Or check out an Off-Broadway production for a fraction of the cost. 🎶

    18. For other free or cheap entertainment options, check out The Skint. 💰

    Bravo

    Subscribing to their daily digest will get you "the best free and cheap things to do in New York City delivered to your inbox daily."

    —April

    19. Buy your furniture on Craigslist for major discounts. 💻

    Vertigo Films

    Why pay full price for a brand new dresser when you can find a "like new" one on Craigslist for half the price? Check out listings here.

    —Chardy

    20. Hit up dollar stores like Jack's and pay a fraction of the regular price. 👛

    Macklemore LLC

    Say goodbye to retail prices on household goods and snack food forever.

    —Chardy

    21. And, finally, take advantage of free admission to world-class museums across the city. 🏤

    Note: Submissions have been edited for length and/or clarity.

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